Image Studios Targets 200 U.S. Locations With Growth Plans

Office Conversions, Diverse Beauty Services and New Leadership Support the Salon Suite Franchise’s Expansion

A former office property in Boca Raton, Florida, offers a clear example of how Image Studios is approaching its next stage of franchise growth.

Franchisees Lindsay and Tyler Cole opened the location after five existing office bays were demolished and redesigned into private salon suites. The negotiations and renovation required patience, but the finished studio showed that a salon suite business does not always need to occupy a traditional shopping center.

That flexibility has become increasingly valuable as Image Studios moves toward 200 locations.

The company currently has approximately 140 studios across the United States. After taking about 16 years to open its first 100 locations, CEO Jason Olsen expects the next 100 to arrive much faster. Image Studios is aiming to reach the 200-unit milestone in 2027.

Office Properties Provide Another Path for Expansion

Retail availability has become a major obstacle for growing service brands. Vacancy in many shopping centers is around 4.5 percent, creating competition for desirable storefronts and putting pressure on rental rates.

The office market presents a very different picture. Class A office vacancy is close to 30 percent nationally, giving Image Studios a much larger selection of potential properties.

Office landlords looking to fill underused buildings may also be more willing to consider renovations or nontraditional tenants. For Image Studios franchisees, these properties can offer parking, professional surroundings and convenient access for nearby residents and employees.

The Cole family’s Boca Raton studio demonstrates how an older office layout can be converted into an attractive beauty destination. Lindsay Cole said the brand’s team remained accessible throughout the development process and continued providing support after the location opened.

More Than a Collection of Hair Salons

Image Studios differentiates itself by welcoming professionals from across the beauty and personal-care industry.

While hairstylists occupy approximately half of its suites, the remaining rooms can be used by estheticians, nail technicians, brow artists, eyelash specialists, permanent makeup providers, injectors and other independent operators.

This balanced tenant mix offers several advantages. Franchisees are not dependent on a single category of professionals, while tenants face less direct competition from others working in the same studio.

It also creates natural referral opportunities. Someone visiting for a haircut may discover skin-care, nail, lash or cosmetic services in the same building. Beauty professionals can recommend complementary providers while continuing to operate their businesses independently.

An average Image Studios location welcomes approximately 1,500 women each month. That level of traffic can make the studio a local beauty destination rather than simply a place where individual professionals rent rooms.

Flexible Suites Help the Concept Follow Beauty Trends

Beauty services continue to change as new treatments enter the market and consumer preferences evolve. Image Studios designs its rooms so tenants can adapt them to different uses.

A suite that works for a hairstylist can be configured differently for an esthetician, permanent makeup artist or cosmetic treatment provider. This allows franchisees to recruit from a wider pool of tenants without constantly redesigning the entire property.

The variety also helps build community. Independent professionals can exchange referrals, share practical advice and develop relationships with other business owners working under the same roof.

A welcoming environment can ultimately support tenant retention, which is especially important in a rental-based salon suite model.

Occupancy Has a Major Effect on Revenue

Image Studios’ financial performance varies considerably based on the percentage of suites being leased.

Locations that reached at least 90 percent occupancy generated average unit volume of $531,385 last year. Studios operating below 70 percent occupancy reported average unit volume of $327,883.

The difference demonstrates why attracting and retaining qualified tenants is one of the franchise owner’s most important responsibilities.

High occupancy can generate recurring rental income while also bringing more customers, referrals and activity into the building. A busy studio may become more appealing to prospective tenants who want to operate around other established beauty professionals.

Technology Helps Tenants Manage Their Businesses

Many beauty professionals choose salon suites because they want greater control over their schedules, income and customer relationships. However, becoming independent also means taking responsibility for the administrative side of the business.

Image Studios developed an app that combines appointment scheduling, payment processing, client records, expense tracking and income forecasting.

The company also offers entrepreneurship training for professionals who may be experienced in their craft but new to running a business. These resources can help tenants with pricing, customer retention, financial planning and everyday operations.

The franchise regularly considers new resources based on suggestions from operators and tenants. Useful tools identified at one location may eventually be made available across the wider network.

MPK Partnership Strengthens the Corporate Team

Image Studios’ expansion is also being supported by its 2024 partnership with MPK Equity Partners.

The company already had numerous locations under development before the investment. MPK’s involvement added experience in lending, leadership recruitment and commercial real estate, helping Image Studios move more projects from planning into construction and opening.

Anne Goldman recently joined as vice president of commercial real estate after working with Dave’s Hot Chicken. Blake Steinvorth was added as controller to strengthen financial oversight.

Olsen said MPK has helped identify missing capabilities within the organization and recruit people suited to those responsibilities. The investment firm provides strategic guidance while allowing the Image Studios leadership team to manage daily operations.

Image Studios Builds Toward 200 Locations

The company opened 34 studios in 2025 and expects to add approximately 40 more this year. Its development calendar contains enough projects to support similar opening numbers through 2027 and 2028.

Inflation, rising construction expenses and pressure on discretionary spending remain challenges. However, Image Studios is responding by widening its real estate search, strengthening its management team and providing more resources to franchisees and tenants.

With approximately 60 additional openings needed to reach 200 locations, the company appears to have created a more adaptable foundation for long-term salon suite franchise growth.

Explore more about Image Studios franchise opportunities.